An organization dubbed Victoria Friendly Montessori Kenya is using sports to combat teenage pregnancies in Homa Bay County.
The organization’s Project Manager Philip Ongeri says that they were also mobilizing youth to combat insecurity.
Ongeri made the remarks at Kiembe primary school in Suba South constituency where the youth participated in football, netball and volleyball, Ajua and traditional dances.
During the event, the youth were sensitised on virtues aimed at preventing teenage pregnancies and crime.
Ongeri noted that their research revealed that defilement and burglary occur in the area mostly during school holidays.
He said the high HIV/Aids prevalence as well as increasing cases of defilement and drug abuse must be curbed without delay.
He pointed out that the sports tournaments bring the youth together for conversations on how to shape their characters.
“They do not only come to play but also to get motivational speeches on how to build their characters,” Ongeri said.
He said the events also keep the young people busy thus distracting them from temptations caused by idleness.
“Idleness is a serious problem which makes young people engage in crime. Keeping them busy helps to tame them against the problems,” Ongeri said, adding that they are also using the tournaments to nurture talents.
“We also give cash awards and other incentives to participants to encourage the youth to exploit their talents in sports,” Ongeri added.
Gwassi West Location Chief Tobias Opiyo expressed confidence that the sporting activities reduces sexual and gender based violence.
“Most theft cases are caused by idleness and we are optimistic this move will reduce them. Let our young people take it seriously,” Opiyo said.
Suba South constituency manager Walter Oloo said they are going to improve Kiembe grounds using National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to support the initiative.
“We will support this initiative because it nurtures our youth’s talents,” Oloo said.
A parent Janet Achango thanked the organization saying the tournaments also help to curb child labour and assault.
By Davis Langat
